The success of fisheries observer programs depends largely on effective recruitment, training and development of each observer. Consistent investment in training programs is essential to
establish high standards of observer performance and quality data. Mature observer programs with experience in a particular fishery tend to cultivate expertise through well-established training
programs and well-known data collection requirements. The training programs and materials produced to support such fishery specific programs get refined and improved over the years. That depth
of corporate experience and advanced training materials help to perpetuate success of the observer program.

New and developing observer programs can benefit from access to established
knowledge-bases and training resources, through a network of individuals involved in Observer programs internationally, as well as published and online material resources. Examples
are listed on the Observer Training Resources table at the end of this section.

Observer recruitment is an area of focus for its impact on training and fisheries management. Effective recruitment of
observers is the key to successful observer training programs. Observer programs are advised to plan recruitment based on fishing activity, and apply consistent application and interview processes
that contain real world scenarios to better evaluate potential candidates. Internationally, recruiting organizations are not always the same as the training organizations, and can benefit from the
shared training resources. For more detailed information on these topics and findings, please refer to the 2007 Observer Training Working Group Terms of Reference.

Training Working Group MandateThe Training Working Group mandate is to share expertise internationally by:

Identifying common training elements.

Identifying international recruitment and training standards.

Identifying international training resources.

Making training curricula and resources available to international observer programs.

Establishing a network of observer training and subject matter experts.

Training Working Group StructureThis is a living working group that will continue to operate in-between conferences and is comprised of the following levels:

Core Members – responsible for completing inventories, development of suggested guidelines for key elements such as recruitment strategies, training strategies, training curricula and observer development strategies.

Auxiliary Members – ensure participation of observers, representatives from all continents and intergovernmental agencies to effectively complete the international program characterization.

Subject matter experts – e.g., seabird identification.

Subscribers – i.e., the people who use the data to help develop training programs.